In what has got to be one of the strangest franchise crossovers we’ve ever seen, a forthcoming DLC (downloadable content) pack for Mario Kart 8 will allow gamers to hop behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz.

IMAGE: THE OFFICIAL NINTENDO MAGAZINE

Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 is released in Japan Friday—as is the new Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV convertible. To celebrate this fortuitous coincidence the two companies have teamed up to produce the in-game “GLA Kart," which will be available to download in Japan this summer.

This isn’t the first time Nintendo has utilised product placement in their games:Eurogamer.net reports that Pikmen 2 contained multiple discoverable licensed items, including Duracell batteries, whilst “Wave Race 64 featured Kawasaki jet skis.”

IMAGE: THE OFFICIAL NINTENDO MAGAZINE

In a statement on whether the DLC would be available elsewhere, Nintendo UK said that "the announcement this time was made by Mercedes-Benz Japan regarding their collaboration in Japan with NCL."

"As for the information relating to the distribution of the GLA kart for MK8 outside Japan, we will be able to announce in the near future."

Sounds promising, then.

Another new tie-in between Mercedes-Benz Japan and Nintendo comes in the form of what at first appears to be a playable version of the Mercedes-driving Mario seen in the advert embedded above. But when you click through to play, it's actually one big advert that you click on to finish the level. Sneaky.

Before you start gnashing your teeth about advertising and exorbitantly-priced add-ons: Remember, the DLC is free!